Messages

1061

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Using a PWM controlled laser, Mach 4 vs Mach3

« on: June 14, 2019, 05:36:18 AM »

The Optocoupler I used was Type PC123 and the 1k resistor was 1/8th Watt.

I made the 25 way connector circuit board but I have seen DB25 Male to Female Test / Measurement Adapters available on ebay – perhaps worth a look.

Be careful of the cheap Chinese 4 axis boards – sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. This forum has plenty tales of woe from buyers of the cheap stuff.

If you are going to be using the Parallel Port then a 5 Volt version is essential.

You cannot use the Parallel Port and the ESS at the same time.
If you have an ESS then why not use the Warp9 laser control system ?
 https://warp9td.com/index.php/faq/faq-mach4#LaserSetup


Tweakie.

1062

One on one phone support. / MOVED: too slow for pulley using min

« on: June 13, 2019, 10:19:52 AM »

This topic has been moved to General Mach Discussion.

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=41240.0

1063

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Using a PWM controlled laser, Mach 4 vs Mach3

« on: June 13, 2019, 06:11:21 AM »

So can I just run the PWM/TTL wires from a 32bit parallel port, to my BOB and onto my laser driver then, the Impact/Laser engraver module will work?

No, that is not the way the Impact/Laser Engraver plugin works.
My introduction to the plugin can be downloaded from the link given in post #7   
The .pdf explains operation of the plugin in more detail (no PWM signal is required).

Or will I need to use a stepper driver and use the Step/Dir pins from this spare axis to send the signals? This would also involve creating/editing a PP to send the Z up and Z down signals to turn the laser on and off.

No, the plugin uses Digital Trigger pulses (derived from the axis step pulses) no Post Processor is required neither is any Z axis movement required to turn the laser on or off.

You may find more information in my web pages here;
http://www.tweakie.byethost10.com/27_files/Page652.htm

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

1064

Modbus / Re: Modbus with Huanyang GT-Series inverter

« on: June 13, 2019, 01:23:13 AM »

Perhaps check out this tutorial in Members Documents;  https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=37035.msg254212#msg254212

Tweakie.

1065

General Mach Discussion / Re: My stepcraft DL445 laser leaves a path

« on: June 13, 2019, 01:09:02 AM »

What a mess haha 😂 I think is better if I buy it  a old computer with LPT port, right? What do you think?

Sad to say but yes, I think that would be the easiest solution.

Tweakie.

1066

Mach4 General Discussion / Re: Using a PWM controlled laser, Mach 4 vs Mach3

« on: June 13, 2019, 01:04:46 AM »

Would the ESS plugin for Mach4 also work with my Mach3? 

No

Would the Mach3 laser plugin work with my ESS?

No

Would adding a parallel port into a pci slot work?

Yes (The Mach3 plugin was intended to operate with a 32 bit PC - I have never tried using the Parallel Port with a 64 bit PC).

Hope this helps,

Tweakie.

1067

FAQs / MOVED: Parker controller 6x and mach4

« on: June 12, 2019, 08:33:54 AM »

This topic has been moved to Mach4 General Discussion.

https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=41233.0

1068

General Mach Discussion / Re: My stepcraft DL445 laser leaves a path

« on: June 12, 2019, 08:31:33 AM »

The Laser manual is not clear if the ON/OFF signal is active High or active Low.

Assuming the laser is connected by the 15 pin D-Sub connector then, using a voltmeter measure the voltage on Pin 13 (with respect to GND Pin 10).  Is it High (5Volt) when the laser is ON and Low (0Volts) when the laser is OFF ?

Tweakie.

1069

General Mach Discussion / Re: My stepcraft DL445 laser leaves a path

« on: June 12, 2019, 08:01:07 AM »

Hi Chank Hervella,

After studying your .xml and all the documents I have to backtrack on my earlier posting…

As far as I am aware (last time I looked) the UC100 Mach3 plugin does not support the Mach3 M11/M10 command set and if that is still the case then it rules out using the Vectric Laser Post Processor as a resolution to the excess laser burn at the start and end of the toolpaths. (As you said earlier, you tried it and it did not work).

As for the laser streaking – because your DL445 is totally interfaced with the 840 controller rather than your PC it would perhaps be unwise to make any electrical modifications without the approval or endorsement of Stepcraft / Stoneycnc. So, I think you need to be talking directly to Stepcraft about the streaking issue and get their suggestions on the way forward here.

Tweakie.

1070

General Mach Discussion / Re: My stepcraft DL445 laser leaves a path

« on: June 12, 2019, 06:17:18 AM »

Chank Hervella,

Do you have a diagram of how your laser is connected to your PC and can you also post your .xml file.

Tweakie.